Embalming implement



Nov. 22, 1938. R. w. TYLER I 2,137,635

' EMBALMING IMPLEMENT Filed Dec. 21, 1935 Patented Nov. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1: Claims.

This invention relates to an embalming implement and it more particularly pertains to the provision of a tubular instrument having means for maintaining the instrument unobstructed by 5; blood clots and coagulations during the processof embalming and blood drainage.

In cases of deaths of a pulmonary nature or deaths in which blood clots and coagulations occur it has been the general experience of em- LO" balmerstoencounteruntold difli'culties in draining the blood from the veins of the corpse due to the impeded flow of the blood stream through the drainage tubes inserted in the veins by such blood clots. Obviously for efiicient and clean embalm- 5s: ing operations the embalming instrument should be equipped with means which will insure a rapid and positive removal of the impeding obstruction from the inlet mouth of the drainage tube of the embalming instrument.

The instruments in present use fail to overcome the above noted difiiculties adequately and with certainty. One type of instrument employsa manually operated plunger which fits snugly within the passageway of the tube. When therod connected to the plunger is operated manually the plunger is moved tothe entrance end agulations are not properly multilated whereby they may be easily conducted by the flowing blood stream through the tube passageway when the plunger has been retracted. The plunger m generally has to be manipulated repeatedly to dispose of the clogging obstruction or else the instrument has to be withdrawn from the vein for cleaning purposes with the attendant inconveniences.

Another type of instrument has to depend on the use of an extender in the tube to remove the clots from the mouth thereof. This extender is made up of a number of wire loops securely attached to the manually operated rod extending through the tube passageway. The extender in its forward position in the tube serves as a blunt head for the tube when inserted into the vein. By rotating the rod the extender wires tend to break down or mutilate the clots but in prac- 56, tice experience. has demonstrated that this. type of instrument fails to-functionadequately when fibrinousclots are encountered, as distinguished from gelatinousclots-which are comparatively easy to destroy, As -in theother type above noted the rodand the extender must under circum-- stances befrequentlyremoved' for cleaning purposes, a wholly unsatisfactory and undesirab procedure for obvious reasons.

In a third type of: instrument similar to the extender typeaspiral ribbed conical cleaner carried on a manually operated rod coacts with cutting edges on the end of the tube to cut up the clots so that they may' pass freely in and with the blood stream outwardly through the tube. The cleaner: surrounded" by a wire cage which acts as ablunthead at the mouth of the tube. As in the other cases this'type of instrument has not satisfactorilyperformed 'the intended and desired: result's, thezfibrinous clots becoming entangled in the cleaner: andthe surrounding cage.

In a: fourth type of instrument the manually operated rod acting inthe tube passageway carries a pair" of springforceps which are used in conjunction with an appropriate sleeve or contracting member. When forwardly extended by the rod" to the mouth of the tube the natural resilient spring; action of the fingers extends the same and the withdrawal action of the rodcauses the fingers to= grip'on-to thev clot by virtue of the constrictive force applied by the sleeve on the fingers. the: forceps reach. the junction of the elbow with?theatube'the fingers are intended to releaseath'e' clot. In practice this type of instrument' has not proven entirely satisfactory and adequatelyreliable;v

With a. view to provid'e an instrument which willentirelybvercome' the inherent as well as the apparent shortcomings and inadequacies of. the present; instruments, briefly reviewed above, I have: developed" my hereindescribed invention to meet theneeds of. the-profession, although it is to be? clearly understood that my invention is not intended to be: confined and limited to the particular field of embalming instruments but is considered to be applicable to other uses which fall the: spirit: and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Brieflystated', I have: accomplished the desired objects andiresults by originatingand perfecting. an instrumenttwhose principal feature comprises apair of gripping members actuated by a rod in, coeperation:v withmeans frictionally engaging or frictionally' coupled; with and coacting with the wall of the tube in which the gripping members are operated whereby the gripping members are nected to a slidable carrier block member tend ing to resist motion whereby manipulationof the operating member actuates the .coacting members as well as moves the actuatedcoacting members with the block member.

Another object and feature of the invention resides in theprovision of a rod carried coupling member occupying slots-in the butt endsof the gripping members arranged in overlapping relation and means pivotallyconnecting the plunger in the tube with the butt ends whereby the gripping members may be effectively actuated.

Other objects, purposes and characteristic features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the accompanying drawing when considered in connection with the following description.

I will describe certain forms of the invention and then will point out thenovelfeatures thereof in claims. I v

In the illustrativedrawing ,herewith Figure 1 is a view ofthe assembled embalming instrument shown in perspective;

Figure 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevation of the instrument. shown in Figure 1 showing the parts thereof insection;

Figure 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view similar to aportion of Figure 2 but at right angles thereto showing the jaw members in open position;

Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure '3 but showing the jaw members in closed position and partially withdrawn into the tube; and I Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of a jaw member in perspective. J

Like reference characters designate the same parts wherever they occur inall the figures.

The preferred embodiment of my invention comprisesvthe well known longitudinally elongated tube or sheath I0 provided. with an axially disposed bore ll ofa general circular cross section. The tube Ill may be straight or somewhat curved (as shown), as desired, and'is shown as being externally threaded at one end I2, hereinafter referred to as the rear end, so as to receive a knurled cap l3. The opposite or forward end I4 is open, as clearly indicated, being suitably rounded so as to facilitate insertion of the tube In into the blood vein or canal of the corpse without puncturing the same.

Intermediate the open or forward end [4 and the closed or rear end l2 and located near the latter is a laterally .positioned discharge outlet or neck l5 integrallyunited to the tube 10 and having a nipple IBzadapted to accommodate a.

discharge elastic or flexible tube (not shown) which conveys the discharged fluid to a'suitable receptacle (not shown), as is commonly practiced. 1 V

The cap l3 hasan opening indicated at H adapted to accommodate a thrust propulsion member or operating rod I8 having a finger ring l9 formed on one end thereof and carrying a plunger and gripping unit designated generally by the reference character 20 on the other end. The operating rod l8 carrying the unit 20 is adapted to be reciprocated axially or longitudinally within and through the tube I0. A gasket (not shown) of rubber, leather or other suitable material is fitted in the cap l3 and serves to effectively seal the opening I! around the rod 18.

Referring more particularly to Figure 2, attention is directed to the reciprocable tool which comprises the operating rod l8 and the gripping unit 20. To the forward end of the rod I8, opposite the ring I 9, is secured or fixed a shoulder member 2i which is centrally apertured and 1 threaded to receive coupling means or member This coupling member 22 in one embodiment is shownas formed of longitudinal arms 23, a transverse connecting part or pin 24, and transverserparts25, these arms and parts beingpreferably made from a single rod bent into the coupling member as shown. The transverse connecting part or pin 24 serves. as a pin occupying cam slots; in the gripping members, in a manner to be described, and is preferably integrally united to'the longitudinal arms 23 which in turn are integrally united to the angularly bent parts 25. The parts 25 at their extremities are parallel to the arms 23 and disposed in juxtaposition and are also externally threaded whereby the same may beconveniently detachably secured to the rod l8 by fitting in the internally threaded shoulder member 2|. Lock nut 26 securely locks the coupling member, 22 to rod I8. Obviously any other suitable coupling means. may be employed to detachably connect the rod l8 to the coupling member 22 provided the same is rigid, easy to clean, reliable, and preferably simple in construction. The purpose of using a detachable connection is to permit dismounting and removal of plunger 35 in event the plunger 35 should need replacement due. to wear after a long period of use. By loosening lock nut 26 and unscrewing the coupling member 22 from the rod .18 the arms 23 are free to be sprung apart sufficiently to be removed from grooves 36 whereby the plunger 35 maybe readily removed for repair or replacement.

Figure 5 illustrates clearly one of the jaw members 21 and since the jaw members are similar except that they are relatively reversed in some respects so as to cooperate it is thought that a description of one will suiiice for both. As'clearly shown the jaw member 21 comprises a clamping extremity 28 with its working face positioned in one plane and a butt end 29 with its faces positioned in other planes approximately at right angles with the first plane and with the inner face 3| on the center line of the jaw face. The clamping extremity 28 preferably has serrations or teeth 30 formed on its working face. The inner face 3| and the outer face of the butt end 29.are flat and the butt end 29 is reduced'jas indicated at 32. The reduced portion 32 of the butt end 29 is provided with a pivotal opening 33 centrallyv formed therein. .A cam slot. 34 is formed diagonally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the jaw-member in the intermediate portion 32 of its body betweenthe reduced portion 32 and the clamping extremity 28,. The cam slot may be straight or arcuate. The back of the clamping extremity 28 has a contour somewhat like that of'the bore of thetube I0.

These parts of the gripping jaws 2-1 are so constructed, arranged and disposed that when the jaws are assembled in the manner illustratedin Figures 2, 3, and 4 the jaw working faces will be toward each other and the butt end faces 3i will be: placed in sliding contiguous and overlapping relation with each other. At the same time" the pivotal openings 33- will be arranged inalignment, being adapted to receive a pin 3'1,-

butt ends-29'- may be ofsuch thickness as to occupy substantially the entire space betweenf the arms 23 except for sufiicient space to permit free movement of the jaws 21 in opening and closing. That is, the parts should be reasonably close fitting so that the arms 23' will serve as a guiding support for the jaws 27' to avoid unnecessary bending or twisting of the jaws 21 into abnormal positions and to promote smooth operation of parts.

A slidable block or body member or plunger 35 is contained in and reciprocally mounted within the tube 10 and is provided with diametrically opposite longitudinal grooves 35 through which pass the arms 23 of the coupling member 22. In one of these grooves 36 is also positioned a pivot stud or pin 31 one end of which engages the rear face of the plunger 35 and the other end of which occupies the pivotal openings 33 of the jaw butt ends 29, the said other end carrying a head 31 to retain the pin 31 in the pivotal openlugs 33. The plunger 35 snugly fits the internal wall of the tube l0 so that it is in positive frictional coupling engagementtherewith for a pur-' pose explained hereinbelow. The slidable block member or plunger 35 may be made of a suitable material, such as a hard rubber composition, metal, pressed fiber or the-like, possessing good frictional characteristics.

The parts of the unit 20 are so arranged and disposed that reciprocation of thecoupling member 22 axially within the tube l9 while plunger 35 is held relatively fixed or stationary causes the pin 24 to move in the slots 34 in such manner that the jaw extremities approach or recede from each other.

In order to provide ample space for free action of the gripping jaws 21 within the tube I0 I have provided diametrically increased portions 38 and 39 of predetermined lengths, the portion 38 being located at the forward end M of the tube l6 and the portion 39 being situated at a location intermediate the closed and open ends [2 and [4, respectively, preferably contiguous to the junction of the discharge neck 15 with the tube Hi. The parts of the tube l0 forming the transitions from the normal bore H of the tube Ill to the diametrically increased portion 39' as indicated at 40, 4| and 42 should have a gradual slope so that the plunger 35 will not be hindered in its reciprocal movement through tube l0.

To reduce or avoid the back pressure action created by the plunger 35 when moved forwardplunger 35. These tubular holes 43'permit the fluid to pass by the unit 20 when the latter is moved forwardly in -the tube: I0 so that the obstructingmaterial will not be fo-rcedaway from the tube mouth l4. Such provision of tubular holes 43 obviates anotherwise time delay which elapses while the obstructing material returns to the tube mouth I4.

The operation of my inventionis as follows: The operating rod I8: is thrust forwardly in the tube I0 by the operator as far as possible so that the tips or extremities of'the jaws 2i!v protrude slightly beyond themouth of the tube Hi. The forward end 14 of the tube- [0 is then inserted the proper distance into the'cut vein, the tips of the jaws 2-! serving as a relatively blunt head for the tube so as to prevent mutilation or puncturing of an undesirable nature of the vein. It should be pointed out here that the forward thrust action of the rod I8 in the tube lli'tendsto urge the gripping jaws 21 apart for the reason that the plunger 35, being restrained by friction resulting from positive frictional engagementwith the internal wall of the tube it, tends to oppose the forward motion of the gripping unit 20 by'the rod l8 and since the plunger 35 is pivotally connected to the jaws 21 by the stud 31 and since the pin 24 of the coupling member 22 is being urged forwardly by the rod l8 in cam slots 34 it will be clear that the pin 24 acts upon the sides of the cam slots 34 in. such manner as to expand the jaw members 21. As the rod 58 carrying the gripping unit 20 is thrust forwardly from its retracted position, shown in'dotted outline near the closed end l2 in Figure 2, the jaws 21 will be opened as far as the slots 34 will permit while passing through the diametrically increased portion 39' and then will be partially closed by the converging sides 4| of the tube internal wall and held thus by the tube internal wall until the gripping unit 20' reaches the diametrically increased portion 38 at which time the jaws 21 will-be opened to their substantially fullest extent permissible again.

It is; assumed of course that an elastic or flexible tube has been attached to-neck 55 on the nipple I6 so that the discharge fiuid may be properly conducted to a suitable receptacle and that the usual injector tube has been inserted in an artery or other canal of thecorpse to supply embalming fluid therein After the embalming tube ID has been properly placed as above described the operator withdraws the rod I8 by means of finger ring 19 rearwardly through the tube H]; The first or initial move ment of the rod [8 toward the rear of the tube l0 causes thepin 24- carried by the coupling member 22 to move toward the rear of the jaw buttends 29 in slots 34' so as to urge the jaw extremities .28 toward each other, the pivot stud 3's being held relatively stationary or fixed by plunger 35 which is restrained by friction resulting from frictional engagement with the internal wall of the tube l8. When the jaw faces of the members 21 have moved into contiguous relation further movement of the rod it causes the gripping unit 20 to be withdrawn axially through the tube l5 until the shoulder member 2-! abuts cap [3- tocome to rest in the position shown in dotted outline in Figure 2. In this retracted position the plunger 35 serves as a substantial' stop to prevent flow of fluid toward ca [3 in the case where the tubular holes 43 are not present in plunger 35.

During the process of embalming the mouth or the ope'nend 14- of the tube lilocca-sionally,

and sometimes often, becomes clogged or ob'- structed by blood coagulations, either of the gelatinous or the fibrinous (or fibrous) form in such manner as to materially or effectively impede fluid discharge through the tube 10 and neck I5. The gelatinous coagulations do not create a very serious problem since they may be comparatively easily mutilated so as to pass on with the flowing stream but the presence of the fibrinous coagulations gives rise to a heretofore serious difficulty. As the name suggests this type of clot or coagulation is composed of tenacious and tough fibers or fibrins which are diflicult to mutilate.

To remove the clogging material when the tube mouth l4 becomes clogged the operator moves the rod [8 and the gripping unit 20 forwardly through the tube It] to the extreme position in Figures 1, 2, and 3 in the manner previously'described in which position the jaw members 21 are expanded. The operator then starts the withdrawal movement of rod l8. The first or initial movement of rod I8 causes the jaw members 2? to approach each other in a closing action by virtue of the coaction between pin 24 in the slots 34 and the stud 31 in pivotal openings 33, the plunger 35 remaining relatively stationary due to friction resulting from the frictional contact of the plunger 35 with the internal wall of tube I0. When the jaw members 21 have grasped the coagulated clot or obstructing material further movement of the rod l8 causes the coupling member 22 to draw the gripping unit 20 carrying the material through the tube l0 until the shoulder 2| abuts the cap l3. The plunger 35 at the same time tends to act as a pump to accelerate the blood discharge in the same manner that the plungers of the present instruments act in the case where the tubular holes 43 are not present in plunger 35. The operator then moves the rod 18 forwardly again just far enough to open the jaw members 21 but not to move the plunger 35, as previously described, in order to release the material which is thereby picked up and carried by the flowing stream through the discharge outlet IS.

The operation may be repeated as often as the demand requires in a most expeditious, efficient, reliable and positively effective manner. After the instrument has been used in the above manner it is readily dissociated by removing the cap [3 and withdrawing the rod l8 to remove the gripping unit 20 from the tube Ill. These parts may then be easily and thoroughly cleaned.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawing it will be apparent that I have provided a comparatively simply constructed and consequently inexpensive device for particular use in embalming but it is to be clearly understood that the device may be used as a handling implement in general. For example, with a few changes obvious to one skilled in the art the member to which the jaws are pivotally connected may be positioned so as to frictionally engage the outer surface of a tube or rod instead of the inner wall of the tube. It is also contemplated that the rod may be pivoted to the jaw members and the plunger coupled to the slots thereof.

It is further contemplated that other well known operable means may be employed in place of the gripping members to perform various functions in the simple and efficient manner embodied in the present invention. It is also contemplated that the gripping unit including the operating member, coacting members and the block member may be used upon and with any body in place of the tube. It is believed such constructions may be obviously provided in place of the gripping means 2] by those skilled in the art.

One advantage of the present instrument is that with the tube maintained relatively stationary the operator has only to manipulate one operating member, the tube acting as a pivotal member through the agency of the member frictionally engaging or coupled with the wall of the tube.

The simplicity and positiveness of action of the gripping members within the tube are highly important as provided by my invention. By merely manipulating a single rod the operator is enabled to clamp positively upon the material at the mouth of the tube before the gripping members have begun their retractive movement, thereby better ensuring a secure hold upon the material at all times.

The arrangement also permits of the use of clamping jaws, forceps or tongs in places where only a tube may be employed as a sheathing member and inserted in a cavity containing the material to be removed to best advantage.

The metal parts should be made of good quality metals or their alloys, preferably rustand weather-resistant.

In the appended claims the term friction is intended to mean the resistance to motion due to contact of surfaces, including both static and kinetic friction.

Having thus described one specific embodiment of the invention as applied to an embalming instrument, it is desired to be understood that the particular structure illustrated, described and suggested is only typical of applicants invention and is not intended to indicate the exact design and structure of the parts to carry out the features of the invention. The particular form has been chosen to facilitate in the disclosure, rather than to limit the number of forms which the invention may assume and it is further to be understood that various modifications may be made in order to meet the various problems encountered in practice. The structure illustrated may be used in various other arts in which handling implements are employed to extract or remove objects or materials in a manner hereindescribed, all without in any manner departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention, except as limited by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A device comprising a tube, gripping jaws, an operating rod operatively associated with said gripping jaws, and means controlled by friction resulting from substantial frictional engagement with a surface-of said tube and pivotally connected to said gripping jaws and arranged in cooperative relation with said operating rod for actuating said gripping jaws.

2. A device comprising a tube, gripping jaws, 7

3. In combination, a member, gripping mem-v bers having their butt ends disposed or arranged in overlapping relation, thrust propulsion means coupled to said butt ends, and means controlled by friction resulting from substantial frictional engagement with said member and pivotally iconnected to said butt ends whereby said gripping members are adapted to be actuated.

4. A device for extracting 'material comp'ris inga tubularmember having diametrically increased'portions of predetermined lengths. at one end and intermediate the ends thereof, gripping means for grasping the material adapted to travel within said tubular member, and'means for-actuating said gripping'means including a thrust propulsion member cooperating with a'member controlled by friction resulting fromsubstantial frictional engagement with a wall of said tubular member, whereby ample freedom of movement is provided for actuation of said gripping means within said diametrically increased portions.

5. A device comprising a tube, gripping jaws, an operating rod pivotally connected to said gripping jaws, and means controlled by friction resulting from substantial frictional engagement with a surface of said tube and operatively associated with said gripping jaws and arranged in cooperative relation with said operating rod for actuating said gripping jaws.

6. A device comprising a tubular member, operable means, a plunger controlled by friction resulting from substantial frictional engagement with a surface of said tubular member and operatively associated with said operable means, said plunger having grooves therein, and an operating member carrying a coupling means adapted to occupy the grooves in said plunger and operatively associated with said operable means for actuating said operable means.

'7. An embalming instrument comprising atube, a tubular branch joining said tube intermediate its forward and rear ends, said tube having a diametrically increased portion at its forward end and also contiguous to said tubular branch, gripping jaws adapted to travel axially within said tube and having butt ends disposed in overlapping relation, each butt end having a slot therein, a rod movable in said tube and carrying coupling means adapted to occupy and move in said slots, and a plunger controlled by friction resulting from substantial frictional engagement with a wall of said tube and pivotally connected to said gripping jaws and adapted to cooperate with said rod in such disposed manner that when the rod is manipulated the gripping jaws are caused to be actuated, the forward movement of the coupling means toward the forward end of the tube spreading the gripping jaws substantially within the diametrically increased portions and the reverse movement closing said gripping jaws.

8. An embalming implement adapted to be inserted in circulatory passages or canals comprising, in combination, a tube having an open and a closed end and a discharge outlet integral with said tube and located intermediate its open and close ends, said tube also having diametrically increased portions of predetermined lengths contiguous with said discharge outlet and said open end, respectively, an operating rod, gripping jaws adapted to be moved axially within said tube and having cooperating clamping ends and butt ends arranged in overlapping relation, a plunger controlled by friction resulting from substantial frictional engagement with a wall of said tube and pivotally connected to the jaw butt ends, means serving as a coupling between said operating rod and said jaw butt ends which jaw butt ends have a slot in each thereof intermediate the pivotal connection and clamping end and extending diagonally outwardly with respect to the jaw faces,.:saidmeansdncluding aapin occupying the slots of the respective jaws and'larranged' insuch disposed mannerathat movement of the operatingrod' toward and away from :the jaws causes the clamping endsof the jawsto extendand. contract, respectively, substantially within the diametrica'l'lycincreasedportions.

"9.; A rdevice comprising a :member, gripping members; means operatively associated with'rsaid gripping 'members .and controlled by friction resuiting from csubstan'tial fractional engagement with a surface of saidrmembergand means .operatively associatedwith said gripping members andz-adapted'lto cooperate with said frictionally controlled .means for actuating said gripping members,

.110. A device comprising :a "member, gripping jaws, means operatively associated with said gripping jaws and controlled by friction resulting from substa'ntial frictional engagement with a surface of said member, and an operating rod operatively associated with said gripping jaws and adapted tocooperate with said frictionally controlled means for actuating said gripping Jaws.

11. In combination, a tubular member, a unitary device or apparatus adapted to be operated and moved substantially within. said tubular member comprising gripping members having their butt ends arranged in overlapping relation, said butt ends each having a slot therein and positioned relatively diagonally thereof, thrust propulsion means carrying a coupling member occupying the slots of said butt ends, and means controlled by friction resulting from substantial fractional engagement with an internal wall of said tubular member and pivotally associated with said gripping members whereby movement of the thrust propulsion means causes the gripping members to operate simultaneously.

12. A device comprising gripping members, an elongated operating rod coupled at one end thereof to said gripping members and adapted to be controlled from its remote opposite end, and a relatively short member located and confined substantially in its entirety adjacent said one end and pivotally connected to said gripping members and adapted to cooperate with said elongated operating rod for actuating said gripping members whereby movement of said rod alone in a longitudinal direction thereof causes actuation of said gripping members.

v 13. A device comprising gripping members, an elongated operating member operatively connected at one end thereof to said gripping members and adapted to be controlled from its remote opposite end, and a relatively short member located and confined substantially in its entirety adjacent said one end and operatively connected to said gripping members and'ad-apted to cooperate with said elongated operating member for actuating said gripper members whereby movement of said elongated operating member in a longitudinal direction thereof causes actuation of said gripping members.

14. A device comprising coacting members, a manipulative member provided with a coupling part connected to said coacting members, and a plunger adapted to operate in a tubular member or the like pivotally connected to said coacting members and adapted to cooperate with said manipulative member for actuating said coacting members whereby when said plunger is placed in contact with a surface of a tubular member or the like, movement of said manipulative member alone causes actuation of said gripping members.

15. A device comprising gripping jaws, a plunger adapted to slidably operate in a tubular member or the like pivotally connected to said gripping jaws, and an operating rod coupled with said gripping jaws and adapted to cooperate with said plunger for actuating said gripping jaws whereby when said plunger isplaced in contact with a surface of a tubular member or the like movement of said operating rod alone causes actuation of said gripping jaws.

16. In a device the combination of gripping members, a slidable motion-resisting member capable of operating on a surface of a body confined immediately adjacent and' pivotally connected to said gripping members, and an operating rod coupled to said gripping members and adapted to cooperate with said slidable motionresisting member whereby initial movement by said rod causes said gripping members to be ac tuated and continued movement causes said slidable member to travel with said actuated gripping members.

1'7. A device comprising a member, gripping members, a member pivotally connected to said gripping members and controlled by friction resulting from substantial frictional engagement with a surface of said member, and an operating rod coupled to said gripping members and adapted to cooperate With said frictionally controlled member for actuating said gripping members.

RALPH W. TYLER. 

